49ers not yet into must-win situation

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Despite a 1-2 start that has San Francisco already two games behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West Division race, 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia doesn't want to discuss "must-win" games.
"It's too early to talk about that," Garcia said Monday following the team's film sessions breaking down Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
"We need to go on a roll and win some games, but that's the same whether we're 3-0 or 0-3 or 1-2," Garcia said. "Losing is the unfortunate part of sports.
"It doesn't feel good. It's something this team definitely needs to take care of and try and put something together for a number of weeks in a row."
Garcia cautiously chose his words in responding to wide receiver Terrell Owens' outburst after Sunday's game, criticizing the quarterback, his lack of protection and the play calling of offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.
"That's one player's opinion," Garcia said. "This team is trying to do whatever it can to win football games. It's not like anyone is out there not giving 100 percent effort. That's all we can ask.
Need better execution
"What it comes down to is requiring better execution on the field. It's not for a lack of effort," Garcia said.
Although he declined to mention specifics, Garcia said he spoke with Owens to try to understand his frustrations.
"There definitely is communication [between us], and that's a positive thing," Garcia said with a sigh that suggested he's tired of defending Owens' outspokenness.
"I'm trying to do my best job to understand what he's doing on the field and hopefully he understands what I'm having to go through in trying to get the ball off.
"In that sense, we all need to try and do the best job possible of staying positive and continue to work as hard as possible on the field," the six-year starting quarterback said. "There's no sense in pointing fingers or anything like that. We're all trying to win football games, we all want to contribute as much as possible."
Garcia admitted the injury-depleted offensive line has struggled and he's taken a few hits.
"There are some times when I'm probably having to move a little bit more often, but that's just part of going through some of the growing pains of some of the young guys on the offensive line," Garcia said. "In no way am I feeling insecure back there or doubting that they're not going to protect for me. They're doing the best job possible. They're only going to get better.
"It is not lack of effort, it is not lack of will. Really it's not missed assignments, I don't think," Garcia said. "It's performing at a consistent level throughout the game. We very easily could have put that game away."
Held to four field goals
The 49ers were stopped at the goal line on their first possession. The Niners produced four scoring drives, but were held to field goals.
"Give them credit for stopping us," right tackle Scott Gragg said. "It's a long season, with 13 games left. Fortunately, that's why there's another Sunday so we can go out there and show them that we are the explosive offense that we were last year."
The season may be long, but the 49ers can't afford too many more losses if they intend to defend their division championship.
Sunday, they travel to Minnesota to play the surprising 3-0 Vikings. The week after, the 49ers welcome back last year's coach, Steve Mariucci, and his Detroit Lions to 3Com Park.
After a trip to Seattle, the 49ers will be at home against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I think we've got the guys to turn it around," linebacker Jeff Ulbrich said. "I don't think we're going downhill by any means. We've got guys with the right character in here, a bunch of competitors, and I think we're going to a bunch of wins together."
Sunday's game may not be a must-win situation, but it's close.
XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write to him at williams@vindy.com.